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January
…
It's January; the month of frigid air. The sun is suspended in the sky, but it's merely a decoration. It doesn't warm my cheeks or melt the snow that crunches beneath my boots.
I'm so tired of the cold; this unwelcome feeling that attaches itself to the city and my bones, making everything appear brittle.
I'm heading back to work after my lunch hour, when I see Edward walking down the street. His back is to me, but I know it's him—a black beanie with a hole in it hides his unruly hair.
The sight of him catches me off guard, because I wasn't expecting to see him. This morning he said he'd be in Brooklyn for the day.
I push past a few slow walking pedestrians and make my way closer to him.
That's when I see her. The woman he's walking with. I didn't notice her before, but when Edward turns his head to acknowledge her, she's all I see.
I freeze. I'm far enough behind that he doesn't know I'm here. He's never cheated on me in the past, but doubt is a cruel thing. One little thought and it becomes a terrorist.
I keep up, but not too close. It feels like I'm spying, like I don't trust him. And it feels wrong. But seeing him with her feels worse.
They near a crosswalk. They stop, and she turns to him. They're not touching. They're speaking, but not smiling.
I catch a glimpse of her face. She's pretty, but not plain like me. Her hair is golden and her cheeks are rosy. I don't know who she is. Can't place her. It leaves me feeling unsettled.
Someone from behind bumps into me, knocking me forward. I turn around and apologize, even though I'm not the one who created this collision.
When I look forward, Edward and the woman are walking in opposite directions.
And just like that, they're gone.
